Nepali jewellery boasts of the variety of materials that are used in the making of their jewellery. They use all kinds of things from ropes to birthstones, semi-precious stones, wood, tea leaves, silver and many more materials that we would never think about using for jewellery. Here you'll learn about some of the different materials used in the making of jewellery and what they mean in the Nepalese culture.

The garnet necklace is a popular piece of jewellery among the old and the young generation of the Nepalese people. Along the length of the necklace, a pattern is repeated to symbolize circulation. The pattern is made by stringing an oblong bead in the center, one medium-sized bead on each end of the oblong bead, and a string of three small beads on the farthest end of the pattern. This pattern repeats itself throughout the whole length of the garnet necklace. It is believed to help increase stamina and energy
and to watch over the circulatory system.

The rudraksha is made using seeds from the rudraksha tree, strung on cotton thread. This necklace has red tassels on each end and has a total of 108 seeds, excluding the guru bead. In Nepal, rudraksha means "eye of Shiva". Legend has it that Shiva cried at the sight of the evil in this world, an where the tears fell, rudraksha trees grew. The people believe that if you wear the rudraksha, you will be emotionally strong because Shiva has cried for you.

The shaman necklace is strung with found items, or small pieces of rock or seeds found anywhere. A soft black string holds them together which creates the effect of a very earthy necklace. Because each piece is different and the pieces depend on what you find, each necklace is unique. Most of the time, people use bodhi seeds, rudraksha seeds, bones, coins, shells and beads. Each of these necklaces are blessed by a shaman, or a medicine man, the spiritual leader of the Nepalese